How to Sow White Cascading Lobelia Seeds
White cascading lobelia is a stunning trailing plant that is perfect for hanging baskets or containers. Its vigorous growth and beautiful pure white flowers make it an essential addition to any garden. With proper care, this plant will provide a dazzling display of color throughout the entire season. Be sure to trim leggy stems, if they begin to grow upwards. This encourages longer, trailing side shoots which flourish with blooms.
How to Grow White Cascading Lobelia from Seed
- Soil Preparation Advice: Before sowing your white cascading lobelia seeds, prepare the soil by ensuring it is well worked and moist. This will provide an ideal growing environment for the plant. If needed, you can fertilize the soil with organic matter to improve its texture, nutrients and drainage
- Seed Sowing Advice: Sow your white cascading lobelia seeds 4-8 weeks before the last frost. Use a good fine seed compost and gently press the seeds onto the surface of the compost. Lightly firm down the compost to ensure good seed-to-soil contact. It’s important to keep the soil damp but not wet. To retain humidity, you can cover the container or pots with a polythene bag or cling film after sowing. The accumulated moisture, along with good sunlight will ensure an abundance of germinating seeds.
- Seed Spacing: When sowing the seeds, aim for a spacing of approximately 10cm (4in) between each seed. This will allow enough room for the plants to spread and trail as they grow. If transplanting, seeds can be sown closer together.
- Thinning: Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them in bunches to trays. This will give them more space to grow and develop. Thin out any overcrowded or weaker seedlings to ensure that the remaining ones have enough room and resources to thrive.
Caring for White Cascading Lobelia Seeds
- Maintenance: To ensure the health and vitality of your white cascading lobelia, regular maintenance is important. Water the plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely. Every two weeks, feed the plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer to promote vigorous growth and abundant flowering. Trim back any leggy stems which grow upwards. Regular care will encourage the plant to bloom from trailing side shoots. These traditionally produce many more flowers than main stems.
- Germination and Maturity: Germination of Lobelia Cascade White seeds usually takes 10-21 days, with a germination temperature of between 18-24°C (65-75°F). Once the seedlings have reached maturity and are well-established, they can be gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions. Allow them to adjust to the outdoor environment for 10-15 days before planting them out in a sunny spot with light, moist soil. After all risk of frost has passed, space the plants approximately 10cm (4in) apart to provide adequate room for their trailing growth
- Additional Care Advice: While white cascading lobelia is generally a hardy plant, it is susceptible to common pests such as aphids and slugs. Regularly inspect your plants and take appropriate measures to control these pests if necessary. Keep an eye out for signs of diseases such as fungal infections or rot. Promptly remove any affected parts and consider using a suitable fungicide if needed.
